The "Kilty" alluded to in the title of this CD is the small village of Kiltyclogher and environs in Northern Leitrim, which for many years now has been the bubbling stewpot of a breed of traditional Irish fiddlers without superior. Among these storied names one finds the brothers Lennon: Ben, Charlie and Maurice; Seamus Quinn; Brian Rooney; and the late, lamented John Gordon.

The work of these musicians is the stuff of Within a Mile of Kilty, and it is given a good showcase in this offering. As is usually the case in the offerings from Clo Iar-Chonnachta, the sound quality is impeccable, and the comprehensive insert notes are rendered in both English and Gaelic. Our fiddlers are helped out here and there along the way by Gabriel McArdle on the concertina and the masterly cittern work of Ciaran Curran (most frequently encountered in his work with Altan).

The program commences with a rollicking set of opening reels, "Girl Who Broke My Heart/Billy Bocker," and this gives way eventually to the cracking fiddle work of John Gordon in the paired reels "Enchanted Lady/Maids of Castlebar." Next up is an alternate melody attached to the classic jig "Lark in the Morning," featuring a turn on the viola by Maurice Lennon. "Morrison's," a barn dance framed by the fiddling of Seamus Quinn, is next, and it is in turn followed the cracking jigs "Lonesome/10 Penny Bit," in which the tempo flies back and forth between Quinn and Ben Lennon.

Charlie Lennon's fiddle carries the listener through the paired reels "Edengerry/Flowery Fields of Scotia," and his brother Ben supplies the fire for the barn dance "Dances at Kinvara," perhaps the strongest tune of an exceptionally strong set. In the paired reels "Larry Redican's & the Dairy Maid," Maurice Lennon's viola work sets the pace, and John Gordon takes up the gauntlet in the three-piece jig set "Wanderiing Minstrel/Fasten the Leg in Her/Road to Kilty." From there, Ben Lennon's fiddle propels the bright and lively reels "Sailor's Cravat/Lady Gordon."

The final three offerings are uptempo dances, as the crisp fiddle of Quinn propels the jigs "Strike the Gay Harp/The Legacy" in a virtuoso performance, and Ben Lennon responds with the hornpipe "Lad O'Beirne's." It seems fitting somehow that Charlie Lennon brings the program home with a quick time read of the jigs "Up Sligo & Hearty Boys of Ballymote." This uptempo closer strikes the perfect final chord in an entertaining set of dance tunes from the auld sod.

Those so inspired should set back the furniture, kick off the brogans and have another go. It is the highest praise one can give to music such as this.

by Gilbert Head
Rambles.NET
19 August 2006